26th May

There are not many ways to put it: today was well and truly dire. Not a sniff of an unusual bird anywhere and in fact even common migrants were difficult to come by. The grand total of our efforts today came to 5 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Blackcaps on the land and 148 Manx Shearwaters and 19 Common Scoter through on the sea. Even Ferrybridge was disappointing with just 5 each of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.

Thankfully (for the blog's sake), Nick Hopper joined us early last week for a few more nights of nocturnal recording and, whilst still far from busy, it was more rewarding than on many other attempts this spring. The highlights included a Nightjar and, oddly, a Teal; other species included Greenshank, Redshank, Knot, Turnstone, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Dunlin on the wader front, as well as Common Tern, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and a Swallow. Guillemot was also recorded a couple of times, presumably wanderers from the colony.

The Nightjar was a quick fly-by giving just a single call but the Whimbrel were good value since they were not only calling as they passed over but also breaking into snatches of song: